Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that she is striving to financially strengthen the deprived people and they will soon begin benefitting from health and education reforms.
She was speaking to a 22-member delegation of local heads of UN subsidiary bodies, led by United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan Muhammad Yahya during a discussion on ongoing development projects in Punjab.
“Improvement and reforms in every sector are among my priorities. I am trying to solve every public problem on a priority basis," she said.
The chief minister briefed the UN delegation about the government policy on education and health sector reforms. She said people would soon start benefitting from the fruits of the reforms.
The chief minister said, "Punjab's agriculture has full potential to transform Pakistan's economy. Farms in villages will be supported for livestock development, besides the provision of Interest-free loans and machinery to small farmers.”
She said, "I want to see every woman of Punjab financially independent and prosperous.”
She added, "We are building a tax-free garment city in Punjab, where women will be given six months of free training and scholarships. We are trying to eliminate gender disparity. The first virtual police station for women has been established.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "For the first time, the best waste management system is being introduced in every city of Punjab.”
She also informed the UN officials that a system of grading officers is being implemented to improve service delivery and governance.”
She also mentioned the IT City project.
”We are designing a system of providing complete health facilities in all districts. For the first time in Pakistan, an Air Ambulance Service will start from Punjab, and the first public sector cancer hospital is being built in Lahore.”
She added that 2,500 Basic Health Units, 300 Rural Health Centres and major hospitals in the province are being revamped, besides free delivery of two-month medicines stock at the doorsteps of patients suffering from fatal diseases.
”In order to cope with stunting and malnutrition in children, we are providing free milk to the students of public sector primary schools across Punjab.” She added, " The development of every city in Punjab is among my priorities.”
In the meeting, it was agreed to increase cooperation in education, health, agriculture and other sectors.
The chief minister said, "The common goal of the United Nations projects and our priorities is to serve the people of Punjab. The target of construction of 100,000 houses for the low-income classes will also be met with the cooperation of UN agencies.”
The head of the UN team, said, "We will fully support Punjab government in its public welfare mission.”
The CM also met French Ambassador Nicolas Galey and Economic Consul Laurent Chopiton to discuss various possible avenues of mutual cooperation.
Nicholas Gayle said, " We want to work together for the development and stability of Pakistan.”
It was agreed in the meeting to increase cooperation on measures to combat climate change and environmental protection.
Gayle said, "Collaboration is essential in addressing global challenges such as climate change.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2024.
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